The Warrior, Is to Enlighten the Minds and Hearts of Its Members!

TEXAS LONE STAR CHAPTER / KOREAN WAR VETERANS

WARRIOR THE Volume 19 - Issue 6

JUNE 2009

Formed - February 1991

By Lee & Charlotte Henderson, Publishers / Editors Our Mission as Editors of the Warrior, is to Enlighten the Minds and Hearts of its Members!

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES

. Memorial Day 2009, was a beautiful, blue sky day, with a few white wispy clouds. As we entered the hallowed grounds at the Houston VA National Cemetery, there were two fire trucks with ladders extended, forming an arch, for visitors to drive through, with a flag a flying high from the top of the arch, at the entrance. The roads throughout the cemetery were proudly flying American flags. There was a huge standing room only crowd in attendance, all paying homage to the veterans, and the fallen heroes.

The program for the mornings activities began with a fly over of a US Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter, followed with a Cannon Salute by the Sons of the Confederate Veterans and Sons of the Union Veterans. The Parade of Colors was, as always, an impressive sight. Our Color Guard, of approximately 14 members, including John Pedraza, who drove in from San Antonio, just to be with his friends and march with the colors, was one of the largest groups. Stoney Stone did a wonderful presentation of the POW/MIA Ceremony. Something new was added this year. White Dove Memo- ries, released a covey of beautiful white doves that flew up and circled the field several times. This was truly impressive. Frances and David Velasco carried the wreath during the Parade of Wreaths. David has a brother, Frank, who was lost in Korea in 1950. His remains have never been found and with each new discovery, his hopes are raised. Hopefully, one day soon, he’ll receive the news that Frank has been found.

Josh Flynn sang a beautiful new song, ‘In God We Still Trust’. Hopefully we will hear him sing it again real soon. Later, Josh was asked to sing again, and this time he encouraged the people to join him.

The program ended with a rifle salute, followed by Echo Taps.

After the ceremony at the cemetery, most everyone met at Pappas Restaurant for a greatEagle meal atop andthe con- versation. There were about 40 or more, members and wives who attended. War Memorial BEAR CREEK CEREMONIES - JULY 25, 2009

Please mark this date on your calendar, and do not let anything else get in the way. July 25th at 9:00 AM, has been selected as the date and time for the ceremonies celebrating the 56th Anniversary of the end of the Korean War. The War started 59 years ago on June 25, 1950 and the truce was signed on July 27th, 1953. Ceremonies will be held at the War Memorial, at Bear Creek Park.

Mr. Jim Nier, executive director of the Texas Veterans Commission, will be the principal speaker. Ar- rangements are being made to include the Korean-American Association of Houston, the Korean Consul Gen- eral, and other members of the Korean Community.

It is important that we have a large turnout of TLSC members for this occasion. We have scheduled this event on Saturday, the 25th, in order to make it easier for everyone to be there. Our turnout here will set the tone for the even larger event, we have started planning, the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the war, next year.

CORRESPONDENCE: Ray Priger noticed the error on the dates of the above arti- SOCKS & CAPS cle, and wrote to inform us of the mistake. Thank you very much Ray, we have hopefully, corrected the error. Mark your calendar now for Friday, June 19th, 10 AM. This is the time and THANK YOU……. date that we will gather at the Volunteer Office on the second floor of the VA I want to express my sincere thanks for your prayers, Hospital, to distribute socks and caps to cards and phone calls. I am doing very well and with God’s the patients there. help, I will continue to do so. Again…………Thank you. Henry Martinez HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS

In our last issue, we informed you that REUNIONS: the program “Homes for our Troops” will be Ralph and Carolyn Hockley attended the annual reunion of the building a new home for Navy P02 Anthony 2nd Infantry Division, Korean War Veterans Alliance, at the Thompson. Things are moving along just fine Sheraton Lakeside Hotel in St. Louis. Ralph is the National Sec- retary, and one of the organizers. The reunion was April 30th to and a plan is in place to begin building in late May 4th, and about 100 veterans and an almost equal number of July. Modern Homes Renovations has been family members were in attendance. The hotel was great from chosen as the General Contractor for the pro- every point of view. Usually a hospitality room is available ject. They are still looking for land for the throughout the entire Reunion, holding up to 100 people; also a home in North Houston. Sales room for Korean War connected items: books, jackets, The building process is faster than in the caps, medals and other paraphernalia, also open for 4 days. There past. They have a program—3 Day Build were a number of tours to St. Louis and the area, well attended. Brigade. Skilled Volunteer’s take the home One of the events was a dinner with an USO show, WWII and from Foundation to Weather tight in just 3 Korean War vintage. We had an evening of unit dinners, those days! Very exciting and loads of fun! 75 to are the major units of the 2nd Infantry Division, an on the last 100 people are onsite over those 3 days and night a Banquet for all. On that afternoon, we also had an one help will be need to feed and support them! hour long Memorial Service, where we honor our members who Volunteer’s are needed. If you would like to died within the past year, and the KIA’s of the Korean War. Again, it was a great affair. help in any way, contact Doreen Lewis at [email protected]

PAGE 2 U. S. Army —————— U. S. Marines VOLUME 19 ISSUE 6 DOOR PRIZES - APRIL 16, 2009

One for Ripley, Believe It Or Not Carl Singleton ...... Book, book As the fighting wound down, in May 1945, the 2nd Bob Mitchell ...... Book, book Chemical Mortar Battalion, then attached to the 45th divi- Forrest Robinson ...... Book, book sion, was given the responsibility for accepting the surrender Nuncio Martino ...... Bottle of Aggie Wine of the German town of Traunstein. Lt. Col. Jim Quimby, Bn Bob Mitchell ...... Bottle of UofT Wine Exec Officer was met by a German officer who surrendered Nelda Napp...... Umbrella & vegetables his unit, and pleaded for medical supplies, saying that every Nuncio Martino ...... Book building, of any size in the town, was being used as a hospi- Ralph Hockley ...... Fresh vegetables tal. Ed Saxs ...... Candy While the battalion medical officer, Captain Barnes, was sent to find medical supplies, to quote Colonel Quimby, Maggie Bazan ...... Vegetables & “I located the town’s chief of police, whose name was Rod Ramsey ...... Squash Ratzinger, and located my CP at his house. We designated Henry Martinez ...... Earrings places for the Germans to turn in their weapons, and con- Martha Ballard ...... Necklace ducted house to house search operation to make sure that no Ralph Hockley ...... Figurine & massager one was left hiding. I am sure that this was the only instance Evelyn Stone ...... Squash of a chemical mortar battalion being given credit for captur- Johnney Lee ...... Books ing a town.” Carl Singleton ...... Shopping bag Several men in Quimby’s detachment recalled that the Ted Maloy ...... Candy police chief’s son, Joseph who was about 20 years old, and Carolyn Hockley ...... Figurine in civilian clothes, was also in the house. He was a quiet kid, and had just returned home, after deserting from the German The 50/50 drawing was won by Hank Army. Joseph was instructed to put his uniform on, and if Daumann. Hank donated half to the Warrior his record was clean, he would be processed as a POW. “When we took him outside, all the neighbors laughed and and half to the Cemetery Patrol Fund. Thank pointed. For some reason it seemed like it was a joke to you very much Hank! them to see this kid in uniform.” The next day, C Company was detailed to move 25,000 The items for the door prizes were donated by POWs to a collection center. Young Joseph Ratzinger was these generous people: Marilyn & Wayne among this group. Pfc Elliot Stalnaker recalled, “They gave Harrison, Marlene Susca, Georgia Jackson, me a rifle, and told me that there were about 200 POWs to Nelda Napp, Maggie Bazan, Bob Mitchell, every one of us, and to shoot anybody who gave me any Rod Ramsey, Martha Ballard and Forrest Rob- trouble. We lined ‘em up in the biggest column you ever inson. Thank you everyone. saw and marched ‘em right down the Autobahn.” In case you have not made the connection yet, the police chief’s name was Ratzinger, and his son, Joseph AWARD PRESENTED…..

Ratzinger, is better known to you today, as Pope Benedict Jim Duncan was recently presented with XVI. After this connection was pointed out to Cardinal an award for his fundraising efforts to add George, Archbishop of Chicago, he sent a copy of a book flags and flag poles at the about the 2nd Chemical Mortar Battalion, signed by 10 veter- cemetery. These have ans of the battalion, to the Pope. The Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Bertone responded with a warm letter, added honor and respect to acknowledging the Holy Father’s memory of the incident our fallen heroes in their and of the troops of the battalion, and stating that he was final resting place at the touched by their remembrance and gift after so many years. V.A. Houston National Cemetery. This was pre- Submitted by Bob Bighouse, 2nd Chemical Mortar Battalion, Ko- sented by Z. E. “Stoney” rea. This appeared in the ‘2nd Chem Veterans Newsletter, May Stone, Pres. NCCGH Inc. 2009.’

Volume 19, Issue 6 US Navy—–—Air Force Page 3 “WARRIOR DONATIONS” Honor Roll for “July 2007 to July 2008” The editors would like to acknowledge and thank the following members and patrons of the Warrior who have contributed in help- ing to defray some of the cost of printing and mailing. As you know, we now have the Warrior on line for those with computers, but the Post Office has informed us that the cost of mailing has gone up, so we still need your help. We thank you for your generous support and contributions. We will be using the funds received to defray the costs of the newsletter. The following names will be published monthly through the July 2009 issue. Be sure and have your name included. Fill in the sponsor card, seen below, or included in your July, 2008 newsletter, (those that are mailed) and return with your contribution. Thanks: Your editors: Lee & Charlotte Henderson

Aguilera, Vincent Cortez, Ricardo Hinojosa, Roberto Munguia, Tony Sizemore, Dour Velasco, David Ballard, Carlos Coussons, Charles Hinojosa, Jose Nanninga, John Sloan, Jane Wallace, Peter Ballard, Martha Craigmill, Bill Hollan, Albert Naomi, Sam Smith, Charles W. Watkins, James Barbee, Neal Crouther, Charles Hollas, Alvin Napp, Don Smith, Orin Wells, Geneva Barnhart, Harvey Dickerson, Byron Kaley, Jack Napp, Nelda Stewart, Clyde Wilhemson,Elizabe Bazan, George Dilick, Mike Krebs, Glenn Nittsche, Herbert Talghader, Marvin Williams, Bridget Beecraft, Bert Duncan, Jim Levine, Jack Parker, James L. Trevino, Raul Belken, Donald Ehrlund, Chuck Lee, Johnney Pedraza, John Blair, Buddy Fitzmorris, Tom* Lyke, Tom Perkins, Mr.Evelyn Brast, Hazel Friedman, Abe Lynch, Juanita Petrey, Clifford Brunelle, Harry Fuhrman, Les Maillet, William Priger, Ray Burton, Allie Gambino, Sal Maloy, Ted ** Riess, Don

Cambiaso, Hortens Gares, Cho Marshall, Winnie Riley, Travis Canny, Pat Glass, Joe McKay, Frank Roe, Harvey Castillo, Alex Graves, Dick McManners, Dorot Romano, Joseph Cipriano, Ray Griffin, Doyle Middlebrooks, Bev Sanford, R.B. Coleman, Vernon Harris, Dick Mixon, Tom Shepherd, James * - Indicates Conte, Tom Harrison, Wayne Montello, Stephen Sholl, Vinton more than one Corea, Joseph Harper, Jessie Moore, Edwin Sicola, Johnney donation

SENIOR JOKES Montgomery, John In Memory of — An elderly gentleman… had serious hearing problems for a number of All Korean Vets… O’Flynn, John J. Rhatigan, Bill years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted All who Died & MIA’s All that didn’t come Russell, Roy for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%. back Shepherd, brothers - The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor All Service People— Floyd, Bob & Doyle Sloane, Story said, ‘Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that Deceased Treadwell, Marvin you can hear again.’ Brast, Weldon Williams, John The gentleman replied, ‘Oh, I haven’t told my family yet. I just sit Cortez, Al Wray, Ewing around and listen to the conversations. I’ve changed my will three Craigmill, Ross WWII Cunningham, Charlie In Honor of— times!’ Finks, Clark Nathan, Howard Two elderly gentlemen from a retirement center were sitting on a bench Fuhrman, Juanita Illanne, Ed under a tree when one turns to the other and says: ‘Slim, I’m 83 years old Jones, Robert now and I’m just full of aches and pains. I know you’re about my age. Kraniak, Lou How do you feel?’ McManners, Arthur Slim says, ‘I feel just like a newborn baby.’ ‘Really!? Like a newborn baby!?’ Texas Lone Star Chapter – KWV ‘Yep. No hair, no teeth, and I think I just wet my pants.’ P. O. Box 802541—Houston, TX 77280-2541

Hospital regulations require a wheel chair for patients being discharged. “Warrior” Sponsor I want to be a sponsor of the Warrior for However, while working as a student nurse, I found one elderly gentle- July 2008-July 2009 man already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his feet, who Name ______insisted he didn’t need my help to leave the hospital. After a chat about rules being rules, he reluctantly let me wheel him to the elevator. On the Address ______way down I asked him if his wife was meeting him. “I don’t know,” he City ______State ______Zip ______said. “She’s still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her hospital gown.”

PAGE 4 U. S Coast Guard VOLUME 19 ISSUE 6 TIME TO RENEW

Dues are $20.00 - Life Membership $200.00 – Send re- newal to KWVA – P O Box 802541 – Houston TX 77280- 2009 2541. The following memberships are due June 1, JUNE 2009: 4th - Board Meeting - 5:00 PM 6th - D-Day - 1944

RENEWALS 14th - Flag Day Byron Dickerson Bob Mitchell 14th - Birthday of U. S. Army (1775) Orin Smith Carl Singleton 16th - First Cease-Fire concluded 18th - General Meeting - 6 PM 19th - Socks—VA Hospital 10 AM ASTROS BASEBALL GAME 21st - FATHER’S DAY A large number of membership and family and 21st - First Day of Summer friends, attended the Astro’s vs San Diego Padres. 25th - North Korea invades S. Korea Members of the Color Guard posted the colors before JULY the game and Orin Smith tossed out the first ball. Orin 2nd - Board Meeting - 5 PM was one of the veterans honored before the game for his 2nd - US Army Air Corps (1926) 4th - INDEPENDENCE DAY service as a member of the MASH corp. He received 16th - General Meeting—6 PM recognition and a proclamation from the City of Hous- 25th - Bear Creek Park 9:00 AM ton. 27th - Korean War Ended 1953 As the Color Guard was leaving the field, the line came Veterans Armistice Day to a stop for a period of time. 28th - World War I Began We soon discovered why the line had stopped moving. For- mer President George H. W. Bush, Mr. Drayton McClain and MEETING TIME actor James Denton (Mike on Desperate Housewives) were CHANGED coming up the walkway toward their seats. It was a The board meeting are once wonderful experience, being able to shake their hands again on the first Thursday of the and speak a few words with them. They were very gra- month, at 5 pm. cious., Mr. Bush saluted the veterans as The general meeting is on the 3rd Thurs- they passed. day at 6 pm, instead of 7 pm. Come early The game turned out to be a great one... the and visit with friends, and meet new ones. Astro’s won. At the end, the roof was opened and fireworks were set off into the night sky. DON’T FORGET !!!

VIDEO TAPING OF KOREA STORIES

These talks are videotaped. The tapes will go to the Korean War Museum, to become part of their archives. Since time at our meetings is limited, we will have to follow some simple rules: Members will have 10 minutes max. to speak. The time limit will be controlled. To be able to tell your story in that time frame, you should plan your talk in advance. List the things you want to cover, and try it out at home first and watch the time it takes. If it is way over the time, trim out some things to make it fit. Remember you’re being taped and the Museum won’t know who you are...... Start with your name, rank, branch of service, time you were there and what your specialty was. Then tell your story Be sure and attend and hear the latest memory. Our newest member, Hank Daumann will talk.

Volume 19 - Issue 6 Merchant Marines Page 5 JUNE BIRTHDAY'S

Bridget Williams ...... 6/1 Lawrence Heard ...... 6/7 Herbert Odell ...... 6/15 Buddy Blair ...... 6/26 Harvey Roe ...... 6/2 Joyce Parker ...... 6/11 John Pedraza ...... 6/17 Patty Gambino ...... 6/26 Dorothy Arnold ...... 6/3 Louise Brunelle ...... 6/12 Gilberto Trejo ...... 6/18 Carlos Henley ...... 6/27 Carl Singleton ...... 6/4 Flor Craigmill ...... 6/12 Cleve Arnwine ...... 6/20 Roberto Hinojosa . . . 6/28 Dorothy Johnson ...... 6/6 Katy Ballard ...... 6/15 Helen Cortez ...... 6/23 Junelle Nittsche . . . . . 6/28

JUNE ANNIVERSARY'S

MEMBER & SPOUSE DATE MEMBER & SPOUSE DATE

Woody & Charlotte Thomas ...... 6/1 Joseph & Mary Alice Correa ...... 6/2 Edwin & Joye Moore . . . . 56 yrs . . . .6/2/1953 Charles & Johnnie Smith . .60 yrs . 6/3/49 Marvin & Fay Talghader . .55 yrs . . . .6/5/1954 Bobby & Gwendolyn Owens .50 yrs. 6/6/59 Jessie & Billie Harper . . . .59 yrs. . . . 6/6/1950 Bill & Flor Craigmill ...... 6/9 James & Anita Belcher ...... 6/11 Cleve & Sue Arnwine ...... 52 yrs . 6/11/57 Jack & Janice Levine . . . .63 yrs . . . 6/16/1946 Angus & Virginia Lewis . . . .55 yrs. 6/18/54 W.E.B. & Frances Gaye Blackmon ...... 6/21 Marlene & Vito Susco ...... 6/23 John & Sunny Snyder ...... 6/23 James & Neathal Kirk ...... 6/23 Bob & Dixie Hanks ...... 56 yrs . . . . 6/26/53

SOME LITTLE KNOWN, INTERESTING FACTS Do You Remember? ABOUT TEXAS….

1. Beaumont to El Paso: 742 miles. How many of you can remember 2. Beaumont to Chicago: 770 miles the carhops? 3. El Paso is closer to California than to Dallas. 4. World’s first rodeo was in Pecos, July 4, 1883. This young lady was a pinup and 5. The Flagship Hotel in Galveston is the only hotel in appeared on the cover of LIFE North America built over water. magazine in 1940. 6. The Heisman Trophy was named after John William Heisman, who was the first full-time coach at Rice Uni- She worked in Houston for many versity in Houston. years after the car hops went out of 7. Brazoria County has more species of birds than any business.

other area in North America. 8. Aransas Wildlife Refuge is the winter home of North (Member Jack Levine knows the answer, does anyone America’s only remaining flock of whooping cranes. else know her?)) 9. Jalapeno jelly originated in Lake Jackson in 1978. 10. The worst natural disaster in U.S. history was in 1900, MOVIE - ‘THE CROSSING’ caused by a hurricane, in which over 8,000 lives were lost on Galveston Island. There was a new movie playing at the Willow- 11. The first word spoken from the moon, July 20, 1969, brook theater recently, ‘The Crossing’, and the Korean was “Houston.” community passed out tickets to our organization. It 12. King Ranch in South, Texas is larger than Rhode Island. was a wonderful thought provoking movie about a re- 13. Tropical Storm Claudette brought a U.S. rainfall record tired soccer player in North Korea with a family. He of 43” in 24 hours in and around Alvin in July of 1979. escaped into China to get medicine and food, promis- 14. Texas is the only state to enter the U.S. by TREATY, ing to be back soon. He was never able to return be- (known as the Constitution of 1945 by the Republic of cause of circumstances, leaving his family to manage Texas to enter the Union) instead of by annexation. alone. The story brings to light the serious problems This allows the Texas Flag to fly at the same height as plaguing North Korea. the U.S. Flag, and may divide into 5 states. Page 6 Volume 19 - Issue 6 LOYALTY * VALOR * HONOR * FIDELITY

KEEPING IN TOUCH — SICK BAY

Vito & Marlene Susca went on a 2300 mile journey to visit sons in Aurora & Evergreen, Colorado and to attend their granddaughter Alexandra’s high school graduation from St. Mary’s Academy in Denver. She’ll be a freshman at Regis University in Denver, majoring in nursing. Also, Vito entered a scrambled word contest run through the VA volunteer newsletter and was one of these winners of a George Foreman Grill. Henry Martinez had a good report from the doctors about the tumor in his left arm. As a precautionary, he has been scheduled for 25 weekly treatments of radiation treatments beginning Monday, June 1st. Good Luck Henry. Sal Gambino had a severe ear infection that affected his equilibrium and Patty had to take him to the ER and then to the ear doctor. With treatment, he is getting better. (Just in time to take care of Patty.) Patty Gambino recently had surgery on her ankle, and is in a cast and limited in her mobility. Her cast is scheduled to come off on June 1st. She attended Memorial Day at the cemetery in a wheelchair. This just proves that you can’t keep a good person down.

CONDOLENCES CONDOLENCES

It is with a sad heart that we report that We send our sincere condolences to member Dan Ammerman has passed member Harry Caldwell, on the recent away. Dan died Monday, May 11, 2009, death of his son, Harold “Dwane” surrounded by his wife of 55 years, Mary, son Mark Caldwell, Jr. Dwane passed away and daughter Terri. He leaves many on May 20th with his family at his side. grandchildren, a brother, sister and Dwane attended Texas A & M after high many nieces and nephews and lots school graduation but enlisted in the Marines of friends. and served from 1974 to 1976. He served Dan joined the Army at 15 and fought in the Korean War, seeing honorably and was discharged with several combat that ultimately won him a honors. He then attended the U of H where he battlefield commission to 2nd Lt. earned his law degree, and accepted employ- . Dan was proud of his country and was a ment at Fulbright and Jaworski Law Firm, prominent member of the team that worked to bring later starting his own firm. In 2001 he retired the Korean War Veterans Monument to Austin, to Costa Rica . There he fished and relaxed. Texas. He was also instrumental in having Highway Dwane is survived by his parents Harry 6, named the Texas Korean War Veterans Memorial and Agnes Jane Caldwell and numerous Highway. friends and family. Graveside services were Dan worked over four decade in the communi- Friday, May 22, 2009 in San Leon, Texas. cations business. He turned this knowledge into a business with clients in 43 countries. He was the founder of Ammerman Experience, which trained clients in the art of dealing with television interview May your troubles be less, and managing crisis communication. Dan was a former anchorman at KTRK May your blessings be more, (Channel 13) with Dave Ward, on the stations origi- And may nothing but happiness nal Eyewitness News newscasts in the late 60’s and Come through your door. early 70’s. He had a small role in Dallas as the doctor who dug the bullet out of J.R. Ewing, his part Some people give time, some give money, lasting for 6 episodes.. He also had roles in several some their skills and connections, some liter- other movies. ally give their life’s blood. But everyone has Our Color Guard paid final respects at his something to give. church services Thursday, May 14th. Barbara Bush

Volume 19 Issue 6 Page 7 MY KOREAN WAR EXPERIENCES By Tom Campion

I was a Junior in college and 1A in the Draft, when N. Korea in- vaded S. Korea. My WWII veteran friends told us that the war would last 6 months, don’t enlist. Well they were WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. I graduated college in June of 1951, was drafted and com- pleted Artillery basic training at Fort Sill, Okla. We then took a cruise to Yokahoma & Tokyo. Spent 10 days in Camp Drake and 1 day in Tokyo, saw the palace and walked on the Ganges. We were assigned to the 45th division and given a 2 week course in Basic Infantry Training. A General addressed our group in a dried up rice paddy at Yong do po, which was our division rear. He told us that we had joined a fighting unit. “When we fight, we fight, when we play, we play” We joined this outfit at the wrong time. I was assigned to the 160th F A Bnt, a 105 mm Howitzer outfit, which supports the 279 Infantry Div. Because I had some ROTC training in college, I was assigned to the S-2 sect. Intelligences. Our battalion was sent to the hills above Chincko & Inji on the eastern side of the main base. Their artillery consisted of mortars & 76 mm Howitzers, that were dug in so well that only their bores were sticking out of holes in the mountains. Our artillery had to put a shell right in the opening in order to knock them out. Because I was in the S-2, I spent a lot of time on the main line of resistance. Because of this, seeing what artillery fire can do to troops out in the open, I still have bad dreams about the things I saw. I spent Thanksgiving Day eating dinner on the main line with the infantry, sitting in a trench, eating my turkey from a mess kit. In November it started getting very cold, but we had very warm clothing, fur lined parkas, warm hats with ear flaps, and insulated boots. All of December of 1952, we stayed in the Punch Bowl. One day friendly planes dropped 15 - 500 lb bombs on the ridges around our area. The Battalion exec officer was on top of the bunker shouting…”Shoot them down”.. The Colonel was standing right below him saying “Don’t shoot, they’re our planes”. No one was hurt & no planes were hit. At Christmas time, the enemy played Christmas songs, and the infantry said they enjoyed them so we didn’t try to knock them out with fire. Right before New Years, we had a lot of artillery firing continuous fire for 3 or 4 hours. On one occasion, at night, a person came to my desk, while I was on the phone with a forward observer. He asked me what was going on, I told him and he said “Corporal, when a General officer addresses you, isn’t it customary to stand up. I looked up and saw a big star on his helmet. I jumped up, saluted and said “Yes Sir, I apologize, but I have never been addressed by a General before. He told me to sit down and contin- ued to talk to me about the situation. I guess I pleased him, because 2 weeks later, I was promoted to ser- geant. New Years 1953 came and I realized I was half way home. I was going to be very carefully all the month of January. February came and I was due 5 days R & R in Japan. I spent my R & R in Yoka- homa, eating steaks and drinking saki. It was also my birthday on the 8th (23 yrs. old). In April I remember Little Switch took place. All sick & wounded prisoners on each side were ex- changed. My outfit spent a lot of time in direct support of the 70th ROK Division almost every night. In June & July, the 40th, 45th & 5th Rct were supporting ROK outfits, who were being hit hard by Chinese & N. Koreans who were trying to get back some of the land they had lost. The last big offense by the enemy was July 13 to 20th. 6 Chinese Divisions against 40th , 45th & 5th RCT. Action every night Thankfully the armistice was signed on Monday, July 27th. All hostile fire stopped at 10 PM that night. It was so quiet that we had a hard time sleeping. I rotated home about three weeks after the war ended and was discharged, Oct. 1st, 1953, 21 months after being drafted. KOREAN WAR EXPERIENCE RALPH HOCKLEY

June 1949: Graduated Syracuse University w/ major of Soviet Area Studies Commissioned 2nd Lt Military Intelligence Reserve in May 1948

October 1949 EAD on Comp Tour in Artillery-attended Artillery School, Ft Sill OK assigned to 2nd Infantry Division, Ft Lewis, WA

March 1950 Report to Ft Lewis, WA w/ 37th FA Bn- duties incl Yakima Firing Ctr

June 25, 1950 North Korea invades South Korea

July 20, 1950 37th FA Bn and 2ID shipped out of Tacoma, WA for Korea

August 4, 1950 Landed in Pusan, Korea, Land of the Morning Calm

August 15, 1950 In combat attached as FO with 27th Wolfhound Regt, 25th Inf Div 4 Infantrymen and my two team members were the front line about 12 miles north of Taegu in the Bowling Alley. Explain N.K.attack

Sept to7 Nov 1950 Exec and Ammo Train Cdr of Sv Btry 37 FA Bn from Naktong River to Sunchon, NK, 30 miles S of Yalu on Western front.

7 Nov 1950- Emergency Leave in the US 21 Feb 1951

Feb-May 1951 Bn Mtr Officer, 37th FA Bn

May to 25 Sept 1951 B Btry, 37 FA Bn: FO with G/23rd Inf or French Bn during battles of Punchbowl, Bloody Ridge, Heartbreak Ridge

15 Oct-21 Dec 1950 Platoon Cdr, C Btry, 82nd AAA Bn, 2ID: preservation, 1 yr in Korea Total of 14 months in Theater

Summary: A captain asked me on the ship taking us home what my reaction was to 14 months in combat. My reply: “Now that I am getting out of there in good shape, without holes, I think it was a great experience. I learned much, including how much abuse I could take and survive.”

The greatest happiness on 2 January 1952:

Having the ship go under the Golden Gate Bridge to enter San Francisco harbor, an overwhelming experience.

TEXAS LONE STAR CHAPTER KOREAN WAR VETERANS P O. BOX 802541 HOUSTON, TX 77280-2541 USA FAX (713) 464-3437 www.kwvahouston.org

Return Service Requested

June, 2009

OFFICERS DIRECTORS

Term Expires President Bob Bighouse 713-464-3676 03/11 Jim Duncan 713-464-0633 1st Vice Pres. Lee Henderson 713-946-9194 03/11 Henry Martinez 713-688-1718 2nd Vice Pres. Frank (Franko) Grochoske 713-941-3845 03/11 Don Napp 281-443-1809 Secretary Buddy Blair 281-242-3695 03/10 Z.E. (Stoney) Stone 281-375-7675 Treasurer Rod Ramsey 281-497-4054 03/10 Vito Susca 281-491-1242

*Carlos Ballard - Past-President 281-465-5172 * Chairman of the Board FORMER PRESIDENTS COMMITTEES CHAPLAIN Charles Laird / Max Johnson / Tom Campion 1991-92 - Nat Young CHAPTER FAX TELEPHONE Jim Duncan 1992-93 - W. B. Kirchheim COLOR GUARD Henry Martinez 1993-94 - Don Foisie EDUCATION Travis Riley 1994-95 - James Duncan HISTORIAN Mickey Spencer 1995 -97 - Bill Hare MIA / POW Carlos Ballard, Alternate 1997-98 - John Jackson PARLIAMENTARIAN Manny Carnero 1998-99 – “Stoney” Stone PUBLIC RELATIONS 1999-00 – Sal Gambino QUARTERMASTER John Jackson 2000-01 – Howard Nathan SGT. AT ARMS Sal Gambino 2001-02 – Bob Mitchell KOREAN COMMUNITY LIAISON-Johnney Lee 2002-03 - Carlos Ballard VA CEMETERY “Stoney” Stone / John Jackson / Charles Laird 2003-04 - Don Napp VA HOSPITAL Buddy Blair 2004-05 - Charlie Ehrlund VETERANS COALITION Jim Duncan, Stoney Stone 2005-07 - Buddy Blair WARRIOR EDITOR Lee Henderson ([email protected]) 2007-08 - Charlie Ehrlund KWV MUSEUM LIAISON Bob Mitchell 2008-09 - Carlos Ballard MEMBERSHIP DUES Bob Mitchell WEBSITE LIAISON Bob Mitchell